Job Discussion Forums

Bondi007 · Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2008 3:58 pm Post subject:

I hope I've picked the right school...anyway I arrive in China on Monday...fingers crossed!

Bondi007 · Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 3:37 am Post subject:

OK...so I've just arrived. Most of the things I've read about China seem to be true...positives: good teaching job, cheap everything, great students, curious stares, slower pace, interesting people, funny Chinglish...negatives: spitting, difficult language to learn, drivers, dirt, pollution, alienation (not knowing the language) etc.
I supposed time will tell and I'll enjoy the place a lot more when I establish a base of friends here (Chinese and Foreign).

How do you meet people/women without knowing much Chinese???

dialogger · Joined: 14 Mar 2005 Posts: 419 Location: China

Hey Bondi - great you've made it.
Remember Dalian is one of the better places!

voodikon · Joined: 23 Sep 2004 Posts: 1363 Location: chengdu

Bondi007 · Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 4:02 pm Post subject:

Yes, male...my long time girlfriend didn't want to come to China...so we broke up on the 11th hour and here I am. The idea was for us to teach here together...therefore I didn't come here to 'find' a Chinese women. Now that I'm here I was wondering how the whole 'dating' thing works in conjunction with my original plans of teaching in China. Also I agree with you of course women are in the 'people' category! Just came out wrong.

voodikon · Joined: 23 Sep 2004 Posts: 1363 Location: chengdu

well, there are plenty of chinese folk who can speak decent english. there are also foreigners who will likely speak english. and, of course, you can always start working on learning chinese. and then there are always those who don't mind not sharing a common language with the person they're dating. but mostly, from what i've seen, how the "whole dating thing works" (at least for the foreigners here) is that it doesn't.

2 over lee · Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 11:04 pm Post subject:

arioch36 · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 3589

Depends on what kind of women you want to meet. Many know English

2 over lee · Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2008 9:21 am Post subject:

they know English and know what you may want to hear

andrewtphelps · Joined: 31 Mar 2008 Posts: 24 Location: U.S.A.

I was hoping some of you could tell me about some good schools to teach at? That would be so helpful in my search. Also, when is a good time of year to apply?

Saiops · Joined: 11 Jun 2007 Posts: 11 Location: Beijing,

LOL Sounds more like my girlfriend.

Actually, was going to go back to the states, but after they lost 1 million votes in Ohio because they didn't expect a high turn out Wink

I thought things were still the same. I have done the S.E. asia thing but China is comfortable.

Lots of my teachers don't think they can go back to a 40 hour week again. These 12-20 hour dealies are easy to get used to LOL

Brian Caulfield · Joined: 14 Sep 2004 Posts: 1247 Location: China

I have been here for four years and don't have a pot to pizz in for it . My passport is gone and the best that can happen is deportation.
Bring lots of money and enjoy China. Make sure all your valuables are insured and you have a good medical program.

2 over lee · Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2008 2:30 am Post subject:

Hi Brian, that doesn't sound too good man. What happened to your passport? Can you share with us here on Dave's? In any case good luck...

lf_aristotle69 · Joined: 06 May 2006 Posts: 546 Location: HangZhou, China

Brian, that would suck. I hope you've got your embassy and the law/PSB involved, especially if it was a school that took it and not some random bag snatch. (For the pedants - Yes, of course those parties should be involved, no matter what.)

For Bondi007. Try the guide to teaching and living in China here:

http://middlekingdomlife.com/website/files/FT_Guide_to_China.pdf

It's been linked to a few times here on Daves, and it seems to get good reviews... It looks like the website is a good idea, but doesn't seem to get much traffic unfortunately. It's good that the guide is available though.

There're a couple of pure ESL teaching guides around as well. I'll see if I can find a link to one I like... Good to supplement whatever training a beginner has had.

[EDIT]

Here's a beginning ESL teaching guide (well, it's actually for a particular program) that has good theoretical and practical advice on ESL teaching; including preparation, methodology and classroom issues.

http://www.britishcouncil.org/languageassistant-manual.htm

You can also find some good stuff on the "Teaching Updates" link on the left side of the page.

Another BBC/British Council site that has some good info is:

http://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/

[/EDIT]

LFA

Brian Caulfield · Joined: 14 Sep 2004 Posts: 1247 Location: China

It is my fault for not signing a contract. The school wanted to make sure I passed my medical and was not a bad teacher. So I think it was offed by a teacher I live with who insulted me in my house. He has many late night fights with his ex wife. She was at our home when he stormed out probably with my passport. I didn't notice it missing till I was asked for it . In China my passport gets asked for five times a month . So quite often it is left on the desk by the front door.
I can't prove that he took it . And the last thing you do with embassies is say it was stolen. You must say it was misplaced and then they will ask you and have you write where it was misplaced. Kind of a dumb question.
. So when I lost the passport I went to Shanghai did the all the paper work and now the school says I must have the passport by next week. The consolate says it will take three weeks. So that is the rub.
But what happens if I have nothing? Can I be deported? I have had my fill of China and this you lose lose system and they win win is getting tiring.
This top school I work at now has student teachers working for them. A great deal for them. Free teachers. At the same time the jerk who probably ripped me off is getting 200 per class because he runs his classrooms like a nazi. The students here expect it. They want you to make them learn English.